| Triathlon Cycling Training
Cycling is usually the middle event in a triathlon, following the swim, and preceding the run section. The type and volume of triathlon cycling training you will need to do depends very much on a number of factors including your age, level of fitness and experience and the type of event you want to do.
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• The cycling distance in a triathlon varies from around 8 miles in a sprint triathlon up to 112 miles in an Ironman. |
Regardless of the distance of the event, you need to be able to finish the ride, get off your bike and then complete the run section – the race does not end at the end of the cycle section!
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• Transition training should also be a part of your triathlon cycling training so that you can become proficient in leaving the water and mounting your bike, and also be able to dismount and run effectively. |
One of the great advantages of triathlon training is that because you are training for 3 sports, your base of endurance builds up whilst you are training for all 3. That is to say, you do not have to build a base of fitness separately for each individual sport, as each discipline compliments the others as you build your cardiovascular fitness and endurance.
It is therefore relatively straightforward to integrate triathlon cycling training into a full triathlon training program without having to spend an inordinate amount of time on the bike.
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TRAINING
Cycling training can be undertaken by anyone who can ride a bike. Training can be performed indoors on a trainer, or outdoors as an individual or in a group rides.
Metasport group rides can be an excellent way to improve your bike handling skills, whilst injecting an important social and fun element into your training.
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• Cycling training can also be used as part of active recovery, particularly for running training which can be harsh on the joints, particularly if you run on a hard surface. |
A light cycle can help to ease knee joints and help the recovery process by increasing blood and oxygen into the recovering leg muscles.
GO FOR IT!
For those new or returning to cycling training, have your bike checked out by your local bike shop, and talk to experienced athletes, Metasport members or a coach about your training objectives and a training program.
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• The wrong program may set you back rather than see you progress, whereas a Metasport coach will help you build a program which suits your objectives and personal circumstances to make sure that you meet your goals. |
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